(CNS): The judge hearing legal arguments from prosecutors and the defense team representing Canover Watson ruled in favour of the crown in a key decision Thursday. Justice Marlene Carter found that Watson had jointly benefited in the entire CarePay contract fraud and said there was enough evidence to indicate that he was liable for as much as CI$5.5 million, as suggested by the crown, as they now seek a confiscation order from the court to seize as near as possible to that amount from Watson.

The next stage of the courtroom fight has been scheduled for 1 February, when the crown will seek to show that Watson has more assets that could be realised than he is currently claiming.

Canover was convicted in February last year for his part in the CarePay hospital corruption scandal and has been serving a seven-year prison term ever since. While he is no longer able to earn the top executive salary he was commanding before he was charged, prosecutors believe that Watson has considerably more realizable assets than the $925,000 that he currently claims he has.

It is understood that Watson, unlike Jeff Webb, his alleged partner in crime in the hospital fraud, has not yet sold his mansion in Atlanta, Georgia, and that there are other potentially hidden assets that related to the proceeds of crime that could be secured as a means of mitigating the fraud perpetrated against the Health Services Authority.

Whilst I have no sympathy for Watson whatsoever, I do feel a deep rooted empathy for his parents, who I believe are honest and hard-working people who worked their fingers to the bone to give their only child the best they could. I can only imagine what must be going through their heads and hearts.

All criminals and corruption involving public officials must be investigated throughly and let the chips fall where they may no matter who is involved. That is real accountability.

A few unanswered questions that need to be dealt with.

1. Why have there been no further arrests in this case or did Watson commit and profit solely from the CarePay deal?

2. From the trial it was clear that the official partners were Mr. D Halsall that provided the technology and services provider of the system purchased by government plus Mr. Webb. The funds can be easily traced if the HSA and Ministry of Health has records of payments. Somebody else in the civil service and UDP had to get paid for this project to get full support with no checks and balances in place. Or was it the usual negligence and systemic ineptitude in the civil service and SAGC’s?

3. Are any other questionable deals being investigated that were negotiated or led by Watson as HSA chairman and the UDP Cabinet including the concession grants to the Shetty hospital?

They will never find all of his assets. He would have been anticipating the possibility is being caught one day and would have taken steps to hide certain assets under company names in other jurisdictions example.

Strip him completely down to bone of everything including the next meal , that he ever bought /owned since he became Chairman till he was jailed , and follow up on all assets that was transferred to family and others in parts of the US and Switzerland. No use scumbag .

The FIFA DOJ Indictment details property acquired in name or proxy by all of the associated banditos – often in the same building in Brickell Florida. I’d be surprised if Canover hasn’t owned something in these buildings as well. Round it up and return it to the people of the Cayman Islands, with interest, costs, and penalties please.

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